Direct acting friction shock absorber



April 8, 1941.

J. R. SNYDER i 2,237,318 DIRECT ACTING FRICTION ABSORBER v Filed sept. 1v, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 1 if 5a. c'` INVENTOR. Jvc 0a 16? 57V V06@ ATTORNEYS Wwf/WM fw,

April 8, 1941- J. R. SNYDER 2.237.318

DIRECT ACTING FRICT-ION SHOCK ABSORBER Filed sept. 17, 193s l 2 Sheng-[sheet 2 a INVENTOR. 56 7 Jvea@ 1., @w1/af@ ATTO EY5 view: -v Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken enema Apr. 8,1941

UNITED STATESv PATENT# OFFICE- f :me n. Snyder.

Ohio, assigner to Cleveland, Ohio, a

' Application september 11,1933, semi No. eccita (ci. iss- 129i ld Claims.

"llhle 4invention relates to shock abcorbere lor motor vehicles and othe uses and more particu' -ldrly 'to an improved friction shock absorber of the direct acting' type.

' object of my invention is to provide a direct noting friction shock absorber which possesses the ddvantages of direct acting hydraulic shock abecrbers but which vie free of the many disad' vdntages of such direct acting hydraulic shock dheorbers. f

other object of my invention is to providean iproved friction shock absorber embodying a nimum number of parts and capable of being economically manufactured and which can be dnlckly mounted on a motor vehicle without need lor costly and complicated linkage or other expeneive accessory apparatus.

n further object or my invention is to provide dn improved friction shock absorber which will have highly desirable operating characteristics der all conditions and throughout a long period ol .use thus eliminating the need for frequent ad- .ldctment or replacement of parts and aiox'di-ng n cmooth and efficient shock absorbing function in which the resistance developed in the device le substantially proportional to the severity of the road shock to be cushioned.

throueh the device et e. inl; luci; ebove fthe leletion t ne indicated hy e 4wd of Fig.. d;

Fig. d is d. detached elevational view partly in section :showing one of the expanders of xthe lriction t; f

Fig. 6 la n. partial loneitudinal sectional view showing a modified' construction for .the friction unit or piston; l

Fig. 'l la an outside .elevational 'view elio another friction shock absorber embodying my invention;

Fig.4 8 le e. longitudinal nectional view staken through such shock absorber as indicated by line l-l of Fig. 7;

Eig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken through the shock absorber as indicated by line O-I of Fig. B; and

Fig. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken through a'shock absorber similar to that of Fig. 8 but showing a modified construction for l the friction unit or piston.- Y

Still another object of my invention-'is to pro- 1` vide an improved friction shock absorber having thereina lubricating and iilm forming powder through the use of which important advantages are obtained including a. high resistanceto wear of the moving parte and a shock absorber action substantially unaffected by temperature changes.

Yet another object of 'my invention is to provide an improved direct acting friction shock atbeorber embodying a friction unit or piston of novel form.

other objects and advantages. of my invention ing sheets of drawings in which: e

Fig. 1 is an elevational-view showings, friction sliock absorber constructed according :to my in- 5;

vvention and with portions of the casingbroken away to, expose the friction unit or piston to will be apparent from the following description *0' when taken in conjunction with the accompany- My improved shock absorber comprises, in general,v an elongated tubular casing or cylinder i5 and a friction unit or piston i6 which is reciprocable in the casing in frictlonal engagement with the wall .thereof to produce a' frictional drag or resistance. An actuating member or rod Il is connected with the friction unit i6 for reciprocating fthe same-and projects from the casing preferably at the upper end thereof.

The casing Il may be a section of metal tubing of appropriate size and length which is closed at its lower end .by means of a cap Il and at its upper end is provided with a combined rod bearing and sealing member I9 through which theac-`- tuating rod l1 extends. The capli may be a cup-shaped sheet metal member telescoping with the lower end of the tubing and connected there--v to by welding or other appropriate means. This c ap may have a ring or eye il connected thereto by welding or other means and providing for attachment of the lower y.end of the shock absorber with the bracket or vehicle'axle to which the lower end of the shock absorber is to be attached.

absorber with .the vehicle frame or other availablemember I provide a similar eye or ring 22 which may be connected with the upper end of the actuating rod il by weldingor other suitable Vconnecting meam.V -It will be understood o1 course that during use of my improved direct acting shoclrabsorber the eyes 2L and 22A are connected respeively with the relatively movable portato be cushionedor checked, such as the teren-:ss wenn@ name of @motor vehicle, and that rela- For attachment of the upper end of the shock tive movement between such parts resulting from flexing of the springs of the vehicle, as during travel over a rough or wavy road, will cause reciprocation of the rod l] and of the friction unit I6 in the casing l5. The frictional drag between the unit I6 and the wall of the casing l5 will provide the desired shock absorbing resistance.`

The friction unit or piston IB constitutes an important pant of my improved shock absorber and as shown in the drawings, this unit may comprise an expansible and contractible friction element 2t and a pair of expanders 25 and 28 which act on the friction element to expand the same.

The friction element 2t may be in the form of a casing, I provide contracting or retracting means, preferably in the form of an annular wire 'spring 33 which extends around the friction element 24 as shown in Figs. 1` and 2. The segments of the friction element 24 may have an annular groove 343 formed in their outer or working face for accommodating this annular spring. In addition to serving as a contracting means for the segments 2l. this spring also serves to hold the segments together in the form of a sleeve which greatly facilitates the handling and assembling of the friction element 24 and of the unit it.

The friction unit I6 may be connected with the actuating rod il in various ways but is preferably mounted on the rod in a manner to permit ad- Justment of its expansion and operating charpanders Z5 and 2li and is screwed into a threaded having the quality of being highly resistant to wear.

For expanding the friction element 2li against the wall of the casing l5 ll provide the sleeve, or the segments thereof, with oppositely tapered surfaces 28 and 2S adjacent its ends and with which the expanders and 2@ cooperate respectively. To provide for a more efficient and improved cooperation between the expanders and the sleeve as will be presently explained, I pre..

, fer to construct the segments 2li so that their oppositely tapered portions of the segments for wedging the same outwardly and thereby radially expanding the sleeve constituting the friction element 2B. For this purpose the expanders are also constructed with oppositely tapered or beveled surfaces which slidably cooperate with the tapered or beveled surfaces of the sleeve. These expanders may be in the form of cup-like sheet metal stampings and may be provided with openings 3l in their transverse walls for mounting the same on the actuating rod. To obtain the above-mentioned more eicient and improved cooperation between the sleeve and the expanders, I preferably construct the latter so that the` tapered skirt portions thereof have annularly spaced arcuate lobes or eccentric portions 32 corresponding with the tapered lobelike recesses 30 of the sleeve segments and which engage in such recesses as shown in Fig. t.. 'Ihe provision of the tapered arcuate lobes 32 on the expanders and the tapered arcuate recesses 28 on the segments, in which they slidably and wedgingly engage, constitutes an important feature because the lobes not only hold the segments in the desired uniform annularly spaced relation, but a full surface contact of extensive e area is maintained at all times during the relative-sliding whichoccurs between the lobes and segments and I thus avoid the rapid wear which y opening 3d provided in the inner end of the main rod section iia. The head 3l of the bolt provides a shoulder or abutment at the inner end of the actuating rod which is engaged by the expander 2li. If desired a suitable washer or spacer lit may be interposed between the head and the expander.

For causing the expanders 225 and 2t to exert an initial pressure against the segments of the sleeve or friction element 26 tending to expand the same, I provide a spring di@ on the rod section t5 and which bears against the expander 25 orl a washer lila-,interposed therebetween. A washer di forms an opposing abutment or plate against which the spring il@ also bears. This 'washer may have a lug or tongue B2 thereon engaging in a longitudinal groove i3 of the rod section 35 so as to permit longitudinal movement` of the washer but preventing relative rotation thereof. This permits the washer di to be used as a means for rotating or holding the rod section 35 when the latter is to be adjusted relative to the rod section lla for varying the'compression of the spring lil. A nut 4t engaging the threaded portion of dthe rod section 35 serves as a jamb nut which engages the lower end of the rod section lla for locking the rod sections together when the desired adjustment of the spring do has been obtained. This nut also forms a shoulder or abutment for limiting the outward or longitudinal shifting of the washer 4i.

The spring 4B tends to cause the expanders 25 and 26 to be shifted toward each other and axially of the rod section 35 whereby an initial wedging pressure is exerted on the tapered portions of the friction element 24 tending to expand the segments thereof. This initial expension of the friction unit I8 provides for a light frictional drag between this member and the casing' I5 which will be eifective for damping the action of the vehicle springs when traveling at relatively low speeds or over a wavy road surface. This initial frictional drag also provides a constantly acting resistance tending to `hold the friction unit against longitudinal shifting in the casing l5 and which insures the accomplishment of a desired expansion of the friction unit by the expanders whenever sudden relative movement occurs between the actuating rod I1 and the casing. In other words, the initial frictional drag between the friction unit and the casing tends. to hold'the friction unit has been a very troublesome factor. The powder coating or ulm which is deposited on the working surfaces imparts to such surfaces a coemcient of friction which is substantiany constant for all temperatures and conditions of shock absorber operation. By YAthus eliminating temperature effects I secures smooth action without any 'tendency toward seizing or binding of the fric tion member in the casing.

As the powder II to be used in the shock absorber casing for the purpOses :lust mentionedA and suitable coating and lubricating powder may be used which will produce the desired results above indicated. one `or more such powders being now commercially available.

The member or unit i! forms a closure for the upper emi of the casing I6 as mentioned above and in addition forms a bearing for the actuatcscape of the powder or the entry of dust or the like around such actuating rod. The member i8 may comprise a. pair of oppositely dished cup-V sbeped sheet metal members 49 and to having openings accommodating the actuating rod lll and which cooperate to form a chamber in which the packing and g elements are housed. The cup member E9 may have a lateral annular ange l which seats against the outer end of the tube and the cup member il! may have a sleeve portion 52 having threaded connection with the casing i5 for ymounting the bearing and closure memberA i9 thereon.

The member i8 may also include pairs of wear resisng rings 53 and El which surround the rod lll and provide a bearing therefor.

of the rings 53 and EE may-be formed of two complementary semicircular sections as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the sections of the rings 53' preferably being formed of bronze or some other suiteblealloy or oil-lees metal and the sections of the rings d@ preferabiy being formed of s. wr resisting metal or a wear'resisting composition. The sections forming the rings b3 and ltere preferabky assembled so that the joints of the adjacent rings will be broken or staggerm and ,the joints' between the rings Eid' or piston I6 in the casing thegrod I'l extends more or less into the casing and causes repeated change in the volume of the casing or cylinder. As the rod moves intol the casing its displace- 5 v:ment tends to cause air to be forced out through the closure and bearing member I9 and withdrawal of the rod from the casing creates a partial vacuum tending to cause air to enter the casing through the member i9. I flnd that 10 the member i8 forms an effective seal which ing rod if as well as a seal which prevents the.

. minimizes the passage of air into or out of the casing around the rod I1 and effectively prevents the loss of powder as well as the entry of moisture or road dust.

tionof the friction unit .i6 in the casing there is a displacement of the air. or air and powder mixture, from one side of such member to the other. To enable this transfer of air to take place readily without material compression thereof or causing hissing or other objectionable noises, l construct the friction unit i6 so that the spaces between the variousl parts thereof, such as the spaces between the adjacent segments il will provide an amplespace or passage for the iree transfer ci such air, or air and powder mixture. In addition to such existing spaces between the parts of the friction unit it, I may construct the segments 2 with grooves 66 in their outer or Working face. These grooves may be in any desired pattern or a rangement such 'as the' criss-cross arrangemen ,shown in Fig. l. ln addition to forming an air space or passage for'the transfer of air from one side of the friction unit to the other, the spaces between the various parts and the grooves enable the powder to be more uniformly or thoroughly distributed to all of the various surface portions of the friction unit.

My shock absorber may be provided with a tubular shied t2 which is carried by the actuating rod il and telescopes the upper end of the casing it. This shield may comprise a. tube section of appropriate length and a cap 63 which s forms an airtight closure for the upper end of such tube section and also provides a means for connecting the shield with the actuating rod and the eye 22 'as by Welding or other suitable connecting means. The shield 62 prevents dust, water or other foreign matter from being splashed or thrown against the upper portion of the casing or against the actuating rod. 'I'he airtight construction provided at the upper end of the tubular shield results ina pumping action 'being produced between the shield and the upper vend of the casing whereby an outwardly owing air blast is created between the shield and the casing tending to prevent dust or other foreign matter from entering the lower end of the 60 shield.

asmbled or relative position shown in Fig. 1,

the :rubber is squeezed uncompressed into tlierubber body 56 wlthannular grooves or recesses Y 'll in itsouter surface affording clearancespaces into which excess rubber may ilow.

In Figs. 'I to 9, inclusive, I have shown another embodiment oi' my improved direct acting friction shock absorber which in construction and principle of operation is similar to the shock 65 absorber shown in Figs. 1 and 2.-

The shock ab- Ysorbet of Figs. 'l and 8 differs from that of Figs. 1 and 2 primarily in the construction and arrangement of the means for adjusting the initial expansion of the friction unit. In the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, adjustment of the expension of the friction unit, that is adjustment of the initial compression of spring III, can be made only by dismounting the shock absorber and opening the casing thereof. This manner During the reciprocation ot the friction unit of adjustment may be .desirable for the dislt will also be seen that during the reciproca.-V

lbe explained.

outer end which Y panying drawings it will now be `A:assurde absorber of Figs. 'I and 8, however, the adjust--l ment for the expansion of the friction unit can be `made from the exterior of the device and without dismounting the same from the vehicle. The arrangement of parts and the manner of accomplishment of this adjustment will presently Tnelshock. absorber shown in-Figs. l and 8 comprises a tubular casing 65 and a frictionunit tt which is adapted to be reciprocated therein by means of an actuatingv rod t1. The friction unit to is of similar construction to the friction unit it and comprises an expansible segmental sleeve or friction element 68 j having oppositely tapered lobe-like recesses therein adjacent its opposite ends and a pair or oppositely tapered loiiuior expandersv E? and 10 which exert a peticion action on such segments for expanding tiie iriction unit. The actuating rod 61 may comprise a rod section or shaft 1| and a sleeve or tubular rod section 12 surrounding the same. it iieari 'i3 on the inner end oi the rod section ii iorms an abutment or shoulder for the expander it and a plate or washer 14 engagingl tiieinner end of the tubular rod section 'i2 forms 'an' opposing abutment. Springs. and 11 disioetween the plate 1I and the expander B9 posed correspond as topurpose and function witlr sprip it and of the shock absorber of Fig. 2,

iior the purpose of adjusting the compression 5 struction and which will render efficient and reliable shock absorbing action throughout a long period oi service. It will beseen further that this device will operate smoothly and quietly and that it can be built to a size which will permit it to be readily substituted in place'of direct acting hydraulic shock absorbers.

While I have illustrated and describedmy improved direct acting friction shock absorber in a somewhat detailed manner it will be understood of course that I do' not vwish to be limited to the precise arrangements and constructional details herein vdisclosed but regard my invention as including such changes and modiilcations as do not constitute a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended oi tice spring it I provide the rod section 1i with i n tiireoried portion adiacent its outer end and. also provide the tubular rod section 12 with an internally threaded nut portion 18 adjacent its has screw connection with they threaded portion or the rod section 1i. By rotation oi tire tubular rod section 12 relative to the roti section 'liiit will be seen that the position oi til-replete "iii vvitii respect to the head 13 can be vorieti to thereby varor the compremon loi time oprinp i8. A lock nut 10 cooperates with the nut portion "it to-lock the rod sections 1i and "it tocfetiier alter time desired adiustment has been oiotoineoi. l

"lio oiiorti accese to iocir not "it witiiont disconnection the shock absorber trom the vehicle I constructthe dust niiielti tt witln a screwtconnection 8i between its cap portion 't2 and the eye 83. When adjustment oi e device in to be made the clust shield itt in unscrewed from the .eye B3 and lowered alone tire rod and with respect to the casing it sono to exposethe nut portion "le and the lock nut it. y s

'instead oi constructing the casing 8E with tendo into the lower end of the casing and in retained therein by welding 86." Llkewlse, in

stenti oi constructing ythe, closure and bearing yinov employe' substantially fiat plate or washer it in piace of the second cup member.

, liiie" l0 of the drawings shows a. further modiiicatiti -inwhich a resilient bushingll. formed 'or non' 'roster or other mutable material, 1s usen.

no a louder in place of the springl.

me nut portion 'lo ann thel Kil) the casina and nf inuglmdgnauy friction 4element havmiigfanjannular series oi ta claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim: l. A double acting friction shock absorber comprising a vtubular casing',I an actuating rod extending into the casing at one end thereof, an expansiblesleeve shiftable longitudinally in the casing in irictional engagement with the wall thereof, and expanding means in the sleeve and connected with said rod and adapted to expand the sleeve upon relative longitudinal' movement between the rod and cavingA in either direction, said sleeve comprising an annular series ofssegments havinn transversely curved longitudinally tapered recesses in the inner faces thereof and said expanding means having annularly spaced transversely curved longitudinally tapered lobe portions slidaoly encagins in the recesses of said segments. A

2. A'friction shock absorber comprising a. cylindrical casino, an actuating member entendis@ thereinto, and a trlctionunlt in tirev casina:

adapted to ie shifted bv relative movement `loetween the actuatine member and casino', said friction unit comprising sections each provided substantially witii the radinofot curvature 'or race curved tronsverselyto a radius smaller than that or said outer curvature and an expander patine longitullv tapered lotes curved to said smaller anti rosolina calci inner iocec or the sections for expanding tire ooit.

t. In'fa directoctiu# friction shoot; absorben o tubular on. a oectionalirlctlon element reciorocable in said c r anoperatinc rod extending. into they casinmn of eirpamiers9` said pereci'internal lobe-like Vadjacent each endy thereof and said` expander-s beine` mounted on the operating rodior cooperation' witn oppo siteends ol salti friction element f naving on a teieecopinc cover at its lower end, as in Fig.

t, i may employ a plug or plate I5 which` exannular series oitaperfed external lobelikeprof ,iections engaginc in saldi recesses, and means on (iii 1 ciprocable in tendina into lirom the 'foregoing description. and accomreadily seen that I have provided a direct acting friction shock absorber which is oi extremely simple cona "de .A element.y

therod cooperating' wltlov said espandere for location time 'same atta position corresponding sired initiai expansion oi the v iriction 4. Ina direct acting` friction' shockabsorber', a

tubular casing. a'seotionai friction' element resaid casino, fan operation rod exthe casina, a pairgoi expanders on lthe operating rod adapted to act on opposite ends of theffriction elementfor expanding the same, and meansprojvidinsfor an :initial expan sion of thefrictionjelement comprising a pair of spaced shoulders olifthelrod oneoff which' is engaged by one of thecxpanders and a sprins disposed `between the" other shoulder and the other expander.

inner 5. In a vdirect acting friction shock absorber, a tubular casing. a sectional -friction element `reciprocable insaid casing, a pair of expanders adapted to act on opposite ends of the friction element for expanding the same, an operating rod extending into the casing comprising a main rod section and a second section having adjustable connection therewith, means providing the rod with a shoulder for engagement with one of the expanders, a second shoulder spaced from the first shoulder, and a' spring between'the second shoulder and the other expander.

6. In a direct acting friction shock absorber, a tubular casing. an expansible friction unit operable in the'casing, an actuating member connected with the friction unit for actuating the same comprising a rod and a surrounding sleeve projecting from the casing, a spring arranged in the casing so as to act on the friction unit and to be flexed upon relative axial movement between said rod and sleeve, and a connection between the.

expansible friction element operable therein, and

an expander ior expandingthe friction element in the casing, said expander having an inclined surface for wedging engagement with the triction element and a vitreous enamel coating on said inclined surface.

g. In a friction shock absorber, a tubular casing, a friction element operable in the casing comprising a plurality of sections each of which has a curved tapered recess therein, and a tapered expander engaging said element and having eccentric lobes engaging in the recesses of said sections. v

10. A shock absorber comprising a tubular casing, an actuating member extending into said casing, a friction unit adapted to be -recipros cated in lthe casing by relative movement between the actuating member and casing, and a lubricating powder loose in the casing adapted to be agitated to form a dust cloud in the casing upon reciprocation ofthe friction unit, said fric. tion unit having one or more passages permitting a transfer of air and powder from one side o f the friction unit to the other during reciprocav tion thereof.

1i. In a friction shock absorber having a casing and an expansible friction element operable therein, an expander for the friction element having e. vitreous enamel coating thereon, and a powder in the casing adapted to reduce the coeiiicient of friction between said element and expander.

i2. A friction shock. absorber comprising a casing, a friction element reciprocable therein, a rod extending into the casing for actuating the .firlction element, a Powder loose in the casing adapted to be agitatedto form a dust cloud in the casing and to form a lm on working surfaces of the device. and closure means sealingly engaging saidrod for retaining the powder in the casing, said friction element having one or more passages permitting a transfer of air and powder from one side of said friction element to the other during operation of the frictionelement in said casing. l A

- i3. In a direct acting friction shock absorber, a tubular casing, an expansible friction element reciprocable in the casing, an operating rod extending into the casing and having a shoulder thereon, an expander movable relative to the rod and adapted to cooperate with the friction element for expanding the same, a spring on the rod between said shoulder and expander acting to cause an initialexpansion of the friction element,

.and a resilient b'uer between said shoulder and expander;

ld. in a friction shock absorber, a tubular casing, a friction element operable in the casing comprising a plurality oi. sections each of which has a curved tapered recess therein, and a tapared expander engaging said element and having curved tapered lobes engaging in the recesses oi said sections, said lobes having thereon a coating imparting thereto a polished surface characteristic. JACOB R. SNYDER. 

